I first heard about this on The Outhousers a few days ago and posted it in in a few discussion groups. The “this” I am referring to is East Coast Comic Con’s refusal to give press bedges to those who apply:

“Press Passes

Everybody wants one, everybody has a blog. We’ve found that coverage of the con, during the con does little to promote our efforts. We have a finite amount of tickets and we can’t give them out to everyone who wishes to shoot some video or chat to a comic creator — yes, we’re mean terrible people because we don’t want to let you in for free. For the most part, your blog posts do not help us spread the word about our con. How do we know this? We’ve polled our customers. Why do other cons let bloggers and podcasters into their cons for free? Perhaps they haven’t done their homework to find out what helps for promotion. So please don’t feel ill of us, we’re glad you love comics enough to write or blog about the art form, but we just can’t justify granting all the requests we get; and we get a lot.”

As someone who A) does write for a small blog site that is growing and B) someone who has gone to many cons in the past as press, upon reading the above I was appalled at the fact that this was posted on their website for all to see. Now, let’s cut right to the meat of the subject. Any con has the right to refuse giving press badges. As a matter of fact, I can think of a few shows that I have applied for in which I was denied a press badge. That’s ok because as stated that is THEIR RIGHT. Trust me, I won’t beg you for one if you say no. However, the above missive that someone actually ok’ed to go onto their official site clearly shows the lack of professionalism that went into letting the public see that they don’t want to give away tickets for free. Real talk: If this is your thought that press people are a bunch of freeloaders, that’s cool, keep that amongst yourselves but to put this in PRINT?? As for the idea that ‘free press’ not helping spread the word about a show? Are you sure that you want to use that notion as a reason why you don’t want to give press badges especially for a less than 5 or 6 year old con? Maybe someone forgot that FREE PRESS also equals FREE ADVERTISING, but who am I besides some lowly blogger?

But what function do those with press access serve?

• Press are the barometers of a show. Based on the experience, those that cannot make it will know next time if it’s worth going to.
• In relation, the photos that are posted shows what people missed (and saw).  It adds flavor to the words of what we report.
• Press ensures that whatever areas the show doesn’t reach, we reach because the more good press one has, the better the crowds you get the following years.

New York Comic Con, San Diego Comic Con and many others would not get to be where they are now without someone reporting independently what they experienced. These shows have reached a point now, where they can and will deny people passes but more to the point, THEY DO IT PROFESSIONALLY AND WITH APLOMB that will still have people come and pay.

One can’t tell someone to eff off and still expect them to come to a show.

While I cannot speak for anyone else, what I can say is that when I and my crew go to a show, our press includes photography, video and audio interviews and afterwards all of the editing that goes into creating a proper package that goes back to the ones holding the event to let them know what we liked about the show and in part show our gratitude for the access. So, what we do for cons is not ‘free’, in my opinion, it’s an expectation. If a con is letting us in at a reduced rate or for free, they want us to show something for it. That is the trade off and it’s a fair trade off.   If press went to a show and we did nothing afterwards to discuss the show, then it would be understandable if the show denied press but to blatantly post something like this and say we haven’t done our homework? Ok, well we hope that your promotion prior to the show helps because crapping on people who would be glad to talk about your show in this manner will definitely get us talking; talking about boycotting any further events that your show has due to the callous manner in which you treat press.

Again, I personally am fine if that is your decision, but I am not fine by the lack of decorum in the message.   Maybe East Coast Comic Con should take a lesson from MAGFest (In which I gladly paid full price for and attended for the past 3 years) in how to politely let people know that they won’t be doing press badges.

“MAGFest is a very open event, with little to no limited access areas. As such, there are no press exclusive areas or privileges. If you wish to photograph or video/audio record the festival, you are more than welcome to do so per the media policy in our code of conduct. Bags may be subject to search when entering safety-sensitive areas such as our concert hall. Since MAGFest is a non-profit event with no sponsors, we rely on ticket sales, and it is requested that press purchase a standard attendee pass. Any questions about our press policy can be directed to press@magfest.org.”

See how that works?  So, sure, I won’t have to attend your show to be press and I will have no problem using the press in spreading the word about your lack of tact towards those that could have easily elevate your show if you talked to them professionally.

Now which do you prefer?

“It’s not what you say; it’s how you say it that counts.”

or

“Don’t be a dick about this.”?